Throughout the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, we read about the prophets doing some seemingly strange things in order to communicate God’s message to His people. For instance, Ezekiel was commanded to move his possessions away from the other Jewish people that they might consider their wickedness (Ezekiel 12:1-6). Jeremiah was commanded to put an ox-yoke upon his own neck that the people would know they were going into captivity to Babylon (Jeremiah 27:1-8). Many other examples could be cited, but it is clear that the Jewish people were not strangers to this form of communication from God. Obviously, not everything in the Bible is to be understood literally, and not everything that was literally and physically done should be dismissed without considering the actual message intended by God. Of course, we must be careful not to force something into a figure of speech that God does not uphold with plain language elsewhere in the Bible. With that in mind, we turn our attention to the account of our beloved brother, Steven in Acts chapter 7.
From Acts chapter 6, Steven was one of the men chosen, based on certain qualifications, to serve in a particular work of the church. In fact, Steven is specially noted, in that he “…did great wonders and miracles among the people” (Acts 6:8). When the Jews disputed with him, they could not overcome the wisdom and truthfulness of his words, and predictably had him arrested. Steven was then accused before the Sanhedrin Counsel, and when they looked upon him, they “…saw his face as it had been the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15). Being given the opportunity to answer the accusations, Steven proceeded to preach one of the most powerful sermons ever given to the Jews. He took them back in time to the father of faith, Abraham. He took them through the historical record to their bondage in Egypt, and to the trials of Moses. He quotes scriptural testimony that there would come another prophet like unto Moses and Moses’ admonition that they should “hear” him, rather than Moses, himself. He then continues to make the case that the Israelite people were continually rebellious against God, and that they trusted in the material of the now ineffective Temple.
With sharp, cutting words, Steven laid their guilt before them because they had slain “the Just One” (cf. Acts 7:51-53). At this, the Jews had received more than their pride could take. From His spiritual throne in Heaven, the Lord saw and knew what the outcome of this confrontation would be. Finalizing the rage of the Jews, Steven told them what he saw as he confidently looked toward heaven: “…Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55-56). Like to his Lord, Steven is unjustly killed without a lawful conviction. They stoned him to death in the heat of rage.
The significance of this event can be applied to us today. Steven glorified the Lord by having the courage to look death in the face and preach the truth. Despite the threat to his personal feelings, his desires, or his life, Steven would “stand up” for Jesus. He knew, as we know from the scriptures, Jesus “sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3), but in this instance, the Holy One of God honored the first Christian martyr by “standing up” in a concern for Steven. Reflect on the honor paid to Steven for a moment. It is no wonder that Steven could die with such dignity and pleasantness of spirit (see Acts 7:58-60). Is this a symbolic message to you and me? It is, if we will receive it as such.
It is prudent to note that the Bible upholds the idea that we are to “stand up” for the truth. Romans 5:2 tells us that we “stand” in the grace of God by faith (which we understand comes by the word of God – Romans 10:17). There is a direct command to “stand fast” in 1st Corinthians 16:13. To “stand fast” is contrasted with being caught up in worldly things in Galatians 5:1. In the letter to the church of Christ at Ephesus, Paul describes the means of “standing” against the wiles of the devil as a set of armor in Ephesians 6:10-17. There is also an exhortation to “stand” in unity with all others who are right with God in Philippians 1:27. “Stand[ing] fast” in the Lord is the qualification to remaining in that fellowship, according to 1st Thessalonians 3:8.
It is every Christian’s duty to “stand up,” and to “…earnestly contend for the faith…” (Jude 3). If we do so, Jesus explains, He will “stand up” on our behalf before the Father in Heaven (cf. Matthew 10:32). After all, He is our Mediator (1Timothy 2:5) and our Advocate (1John 2:1). What tremendous courage this should engender within our hearts! Let all of God’s people have the courage to fulfill the words in the song, “stand up, stand up for Jesus,” and maybe we will, by a determined effort, affect the well-needed change in the world.
May God bless you all,
-”Robetron”
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